Konoha Village.
Hokage's Office.
"Lady Hokage, both the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning are continuously reinforcing their troops along the borders. The situation has become extremely tense," Nara Shikaku reported to Tsunade, his expression grave as he stood in the room.
Hearing this, Tsunade's expression also turned serious. She pondered for a moment, then asked, "What is the likelihood of war breaking out?"
Nara Shikaku replied, "War could erupt at any moment."
Tsunade said gravely, "What advice do the three esteemed Council Elders have regarding this matter?"
Nara Shikaku answered, "Lord Third has not expressed an opinion on this. Elders Koharu and Homura believe that fighting a war on two fronts is unwise and suggest that the village proactively dispatch envoys to Kumogakure and Iwagakure to sue for peace."
Since Danzo's death, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had completely withdrawn from the higher echelons of Konoha's leadership, dedicating all his energy to the development of the Ninja Academy. Although Tsunade had retained his position as a Council Elder out of respect, the Third Hokage basically no longer interfered in any of the village's affairs and rarely offered his opinions.
As for Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, although they also retained their positions as Council Elders, their status and influence within the village had long since plummeted. In daily affairs, when Tsunade had someone solicit their opinions, it was largely just a formality. Koharu and Homura were now completely unable to sway the decisions of Konoha's high command.
Hearing Nara Shikaku's report, Tsunade slammed her fist heavily onto the desk, her voice firm and unyielding. "The enemy has already arrayed their forces for battle! To still be thinking of humbling ourselves and begging for peace at a time like this—can peace truly be obtained through such means? The Third Tsuchikage and the Fourth Raikage clearly see that our village's strength is steadily increasing, and they want to join forces to suppress us. If we back down now, they will only become more aggressive and demanding! This step, we absolutely cannot retreat!"
Seeing Tsunade's resolute stance, Nara Shikaku merely pursed his lips slightly, offering no reply.
After thinking for a moment, Tsunade issued a cold command, "Shikaku, immediately send someone to contact Jiraiya. Tell him to return to the village at once. At the same time, immediately mobilize all ninja within the village who are capable of participating in war. Prepare for deployment at any moment."
"Yes, Lady Hokage," Nara Shikaku acknowledged the order respectfully.
With Tsunade's commands issued, the entirety of Konoha Village, like a giant war machine, quickly began to mobilize. The Hokage's ANBU Black Ops, the Military Police Force, and Konoha Village's regular active ninja forces were all activated. Simultaneously, a large number of ninja squads currently out on missions began to be recalled to the village. Ninja from the various prominent clans, those outside Konoha's three main standing forces, also began to prepare for war.
For a time, a tense yet orderly atmosphere of pre-war preparation enveloped the entire village.
Akimichi Clan Compound. Tatsuya's home.
"Tatsuya-kun, is war really about to break out again?" In the room, Kyoko looked at Tatsuya with a worried expression. Beside her, Mitarashi Anko, who was usually an incorrigible optimist, also had a hint of anxiety on her face. The Third Shinobi World War had only ended a decade ago; could it be that the Fourth Shinobi World War was already upon them?
Regarding the prospect of another great ninja war, everyone harbored unpleasant memories. The scenes of battlefields strewn with corpses were still vivid in their minds.
"Don't worry. I will prevent it from happening," Tatsuya said, a faint, reassuring smile on his face as he reached out and gently caressed Kyoko's cheek. His voice was filled with an unwavering confidence.
Truthfully, Tatsuya also hadn't anticipated that Iwagakure and Kumogakure would react so drastically after the Hiruko incident. This development had completely exceeded his expectations. It seemed Konoha's recent growth and resurgence had indeed put immense pressure on them.
Despite this, Tatsuya wasn't particularly worried. With the strength he currently commanded, he was capable of completely destroying both Iwagakure and Kumogakure if he so chose. At worst, it would simply mean fully revealing the entire strength of the Divine Court. However, unless things truly reached the most desperate and unavoidable point, Tatsuya still wasn't prepared to take such drastic measures. After all, many things were far more convenient to accomplish from the shadows than out in the open.
Hearing Tatsuya's confident words, the worried expressions on Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko's faces eased slightly. Towards Tatsuya, both women had always held an unwavering, almost absolute, faith.
Mitarashi Anko thought for a moment, then said, "This time, if war does break out, I want to go to the front lines!" As she spoke, Anko looked at Tatsuya and Kyoko with a serious, determined expression.
Tatsuya replied without a moment's hesitation, "Alright. I will be leading a contingent of the Military Police Force to the eastern border soon. You can come with me."
A look of joy appeared on Mitarashi Anko's face, and she quickly and obediently nodded her head.
After comforting the two women at home, Tatsuya left and headed towards the Military Police Force Headquarters. As soon as he arrived, he found Shisui and Uchiha Misuke gathered in his office.
Seeing Tatsuya, Uchiha Misuke immediately said gravely, "According to intelligence from our covert operatives, Iwagakure and Kumogakure are likely not just putting on a show this time. They genuinely intend to join forces and attack Konoha!"
As Uchiha Misuke's words fell, both her and Shisui's gazes focused intently on Tatsuya. Neither of them, to this day, knew the full extent of Tatsuya's ultimate plans. But they both understood one thing very clearly: the current escalating situation was almost certainly not part of Tatsuya's original designs. They wanted to know how Tatsuya would decide to act.
Hearing this, Tatsuya stated with unwavering conviction, "Regardless of their objectives, they will not succeed!"
Uchiha Misuke's eyes lit up. "What do you plan to do?"
Tatsuya said, "This time, Shisui and I will both lead forces into battle. Misuke, you will be responsible for remaining here and overseeing defenses."
Immediately, the three of them discussed the matter further and decided that Tatsuya and Shisui would each lead a portion of the Military Police Force's ninja to the western and eastern borders respectively. Uchiha Misuke, meanwhile, would lead a smaller contingent of Military Police Force members to remain in Konoha and bolster its defenses.
Three days later, after a period of tense and orderly preparations, Konoha Village's ninja army officially departed from the village. The army was divided into two main forces. One force, commanded by Tatsuya and Hyuga Hizashi, was responsible for leading the ninja army to the eastern border to confront the Kumogakure army, which was currently amassing troops in the Land of Hot Water. The other force, commanded by Jiraiya, who had rushed back to the village, and the Captain of the Military Police Force, was responsible for leading troops to the western border to confront the Iwagakure army, which was amassing troops in the Land of Waterfalls.
With Konoha Village making such a direct, tit-for-tat military deployment, the situation in the entire ninja world immediately became extremely tense. The ninja armies of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha Village formed a tense standoff on the borders of the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Waterfalls. The Fourth Shinobi World War could erupt at any moment.
Faced with Konoha Village's bold stance of preparing to fight on two fronts simultaneously, the major powers in the ninja world were all greatly astonished. After some careful investigation, everyone finally came to the startling realization that Konoha, after several years of development and internal reform, had actually become even stronger than it was before the Third Shinobi World War. No wonder Kumogakure and Iwagakure felt compelled to join forces to deal with Konoha!
While Konoha was engaged in this tense standoff with Iwagakure and Kumogakure on its eastern and western fronts, Sunagakure, as Konoha Village's ally, also immediately began to mobilize its forces for battle in a show of support. Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, only Kirigakure, situated in its remote corner of the world, remained inactive, showing no signs of movement.